Famous for its strict all-white dress code on the court, Wimbledon is just as serious about policing attire worn in the Royal Box — just ask Lewis Hamilton.
The current Formula One champion showed up at Sunday’s men’s final dressed in a floral shirt and Panama hat, apparently unaware of Centre Court’s jacket and tie policy for male guests of the Royal Box. This, despite posting a photo on Instagram earlier in the day of his copy of the Guide for Royal Box Guests issued by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.
“Due to a misunderstanding over dress code, he is disappointed to have missed the final,” confirmed Hamilton’s spokesman to the media.
Although the 30-year-old Brit did have the option of buying an £85 ($132) Ralph Lauren tie from the Wimbledon gift shop, finding a blazer may have proved more challenging. He left before the conclusion of the final, missing out on Novak Djokovic’s four-set victory over Roger Federer.
Hamilton’s gaffe left him unable to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty. Guests in the Royal Box included actors Hugh Grant, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Winslet and Bradley Cooper.
Recently, Wimbledon has come under fire by tennis pros for tightening its patrol over wearing visible colors on the court.
Fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios was asked to flip his headband inside-out during play in the third round because it was too colorful. Ironically, the headband was a Wimbledon-issued product sold in its gift shop for £6 ($9.)
Recently, Federer and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands have both criticized Wimbledon for being too strict with its no-color of any kind policy on the court. Federer called the rules “ridiculously strict” before the tournament, citing players from previous generations who displayed colorful stripes on their shirts with no repercussions.
Mattek-Sands claimed she was nervous wearing colored underwear under her whites. “Obviously that’s a no go this year,” she said after her second round victory.
